ANIMAL SKINS

Skins are used by native tribes for a variety of reasons—mostly for ceremonial purposes, as they are not needed for clothing. On this small scale, hunting animals for skins is not detrimental. However, when animals are hunted for the money their skins can bring, the situation can quickly spiral out of control. Hence, around large towns and cities often visited by tourists with cash, big animals are absent. Prior to international regulations, thousands of jaguar skins were exported every year from the Amazon rainforest.

The ocelot is a medium-sized spotted cat. It is quite rare in the wild, but hunters will kill them on sight as its skin fetches a high price. The skins are mostly sold to local people, and as with all wildlife products, they are illegal to import into most countries. Other cats are also hunted for their skins, especially jaguars and other spotted cats. (Note the snake skin hanging from the top of the ocelot skin.)

Caimans are easy to hunt. The hunter looks for one simply by shining a flashlight along a riverbank at night and looking for the tell-tale red glow of its eye. Mesmerised by the light, the caiman freezes as the hunter maneuvers his canoe close enough for a shot. Caiman skins were exported for use in leather goods.

The skin of a large snake can fetch a relatively large sum of money. Hence locals have a strong motive to hunt these animals. Snake skins may be used for decoration, or made into leather goods, or "medicinal" products. The anaconda is a favored species for such uses, although the above photograph depicts the skin of a sizable boa.